The women are up first this year, and it is an absolute blockbuster tie as the defending champions and points trophy winners, City Highlanders, meet a Momona side who tripped them up in the qualifying final last weekend.
City have been the pace-setters not just this season, but over the past three, as they hunt a three-peat. They did well to respond from their surprise defeat at the weekend, comfortably downing Kings in the midweek do-or-die game to make it to the big dance.
Their spine is what holds them together, with former Black Stick Tessa Jopp the best player in the competition. She has been holding the fort in the midfield area, allowing her team-mates to bomb on past her. She will be key to their chances today.
Momona picked up a huge scalp with their shootout win last Saturday, but the question is whether they can do it again. They have been a little inconsistent this year, although when they are at their best they are just as good as City. Their back division has been strong all year, with the likes of Eve Swann and Abby Reid really coming into their own.
City go in as favourites, but don’t discount this Momona side.
The premier men’s final is a rematch of last year, as the University Whales completed their backdoor entrance for the second year running to meet the Taieri Tuataras in the final.
Those Whales, aye? They barely broke a sweat through the first two rounds of regular competition play, but in fairness they have really snapped into life over the past six weeks. They beat Albany twice, drew with Kings after conceding on fulltime, before beating them on Wednesday. You can’t begrudge them their spot in the final.
Their chances hinge heavily on the trio of keeper Hugh Nixon, the mercurial talent that is Jakob Bell-Kake and of course Black Stick Benji Culhane. Culhane has been in stunning form of late, and he will be right up for it today.
For Taieri, it is all about Jordan Ward. Their inspirational player-coach will play his 150th and final game for the Tuas (for now at least) before departing next year, and he will want to go out a winner.
The Tuas have been the dominant force for the last five seasons, but have managed just one title so far. It would seem cruel if they choked again.
Jordan’s brother and Black Stick, Patrick, has been in great touch, but it is arguably James Nicolson who is their key man. He has 29 goals in just 14 games this year, and he is a big game player.
The Tuas should win, but you would be stupid to write off the Whales.
By Nicholas Friedlander
